Switch-operating mechanism.



No. 891,427. I 'PATENTED JUNE 23, 1908.

J. W. KEATING.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1907- Ill lull-h V V JAMES'W. KEATING, OF PORTLAND, OREGON,

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 28, 1.907.

Patented June 23, 1908.

Serial No. 390,515.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that LJAMES W. KEATING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switch-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a s eoification.

This invention relates to switc 1 operating mechanisms, the object being to provide very novel and efficient means for locking the switch points in an opened or closed po sition automatically, so that all danger of the'switch points being moved accidentally, is prevented.

Another-object of my invention is to provide very novel point operatin mechanism so constructed that the locking levers will be released before the points start to move, so that all danger of the locking levers being broken when operating the switch is prevented.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claims. i

In the drawing forming part of this specification:Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved switch operating mechanism in a closed position, the rails and switch points being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the operating mechanism in an opened position, the rails and switch points also being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the main track and sidin showing my improved switch operating merilianism in place.

Referring to the drawing A indicates the main track, B the siding and O the pivoted switch points connecting the same, which are connected together by spaced bars O The bases of the 'oints are connected together adjacent their free ends by a bar D which is provided with a central depending U-shaped portion D, the vertical walls of which are apertured in alinement with each other, through which extends the ends of the switch operating rod E which is provided with a turn-buckle E, so that it can be adjusted, and is connected to the usual switchstand, (not shown). 1 An inverted V-shaped lug E is formed on the rod E in the U- fully described. The inner ends of the, le-

ver's are rovided with enlarged offset members H formin weights which normally hold the lever in a liorizontal position. The under side of the members are rovided with beveled faces H 1 adapted to s ide on the V- shaped lug E of the operating rod E when the rod is operated,so that the member will be lifted out of the U-shaped portion of the bar and release the switch-points, so that they can move.

.. The operation is as follows:.When the switch is in a closed position, asshown in Fig. 1, and the switch-rod is pushed, the in verted V-shaped portion of the rod E will force the offset member I of the rod I u out of the U-shaped ortion of the bar an the other end provid ed with lugs down out of engagement with the rails and points and as the rod is forced further forward, the lug E will engage the wall of the U-shaped ortion of the bar D and open the switch so t at the train can pass into the siding. At the same time, the ofiset member H of the lever H will drop into the U-shaped portion of the -bar onto the V-shaped lug, and the lugs on the other end of the lever will be brought up along side of the bases of the rail and point,

so as to securely lock the switch in an opened.

position.

When it is desired to close the switch, the rod is drawn outwardly which releases the locking lever H, and allows the locking lever I to lock the switch in a closed position. To further lock the movable rails in position I provide curved pivoted locking members I carried bythe locking levers H and I and which when in closed position have one end in engagement with the flange or base of the switch point and the other end in engagement with the under face, of the base of one of the track or switch rails.

This prevents the switch point from moving as long as the locking members I are held by the bar H or I in locking position, as pressure exerted by the switch point upon the end in engagement with the base of the point would cause the opposite end. of the member I to grip tighter the base of the rail, A or B, thus the more firmly holding the member I in such locking position.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A switch operating mechanism including fixed rails and movable points, a bar extending between and connecting said points, weighted locking levers between said points provided with lugs for engaging the rails and points, and a slidably arranged rod for operating said locking levers and moving said points.

2. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with fixed rails and movable points, of a bar connecting said points provided with a U-shaped portion, weighted locking levers arranged between said points provided with spaced lugs at one end adapted to fit beside the base of the rail and point, and a rod slidably mounted in said Ushaped portion for operating said points and said locking levers.

3. In a-switch operating mechanism, the combination with fixed rails and movable points, of a bar connecting said points providedwith a U-shaped portion, locking levers pivotally mounted between said points, pro vided with weighted offset ends adapted to fit in said U-shaped portion of said bar, and an operating rod extending through said U-shaped-portion provided with a lug adapted to engage said o'flset members, and said U shaped portion, for the purpose described.

4. The combination with fixed rails and movable points, of a bar connecting said points provided with a depending U-shaped portion, the vertical walls of which are apertured in alinernent with each other, locking levers mounted between said points provided with ofiset members adapted to fit in said U- shaped portion of said bar, and a switch operating rod extending through the aperture of the U-shapcd portion of the bar provided with an inverted V-shaped lug adapted to engage said ofiset members, and said U- shaped portion, for operating said locking levers and points.

5. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with fixed rails and movable points, of a bar connecting said points provided with a depending U-shaped portion, locking levers pivotally mounted between said points provided with spaced lugs at one end, and offset members at the other ends, said ofi'setmembers being provided with beveled underfaces a switch operating rod slidably mounted in said U-shaped portion provided with an inverted V-shaped lug adapted to lift the offset members of the locking lever out of the U-shaped portion and release the points and operate said points.

JAMES WV. KEATING.

Vitnesses FRANK T. BERRY, O. B. Mrsz. 

